Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Mitsuyama Taisai Festival Continues

Japanese shrine priests transport gods by a portable shrine for
entertainment during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine
at front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The
festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate
Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of
March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for
seven days to April 7 praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by
Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese shrine priests transport gods by a portable shrine for
entertainment during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine
at front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The
festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate
Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country on the night of
March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for
seven days to April 7 praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by
Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese archer rides a horse while he performs traditional archery to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held
once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top
of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days to April 7
praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A man carries a secret bow during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of
Itate Hyozu Shrine in front of the Himeji castle on April 3, 2013 in
Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since
1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the
country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three mountains'
and treat with food for seven days to April 7 praying for peace and
prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese shrine priests pray the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai
Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine at front of the Himeji castle on April 3,
2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years
since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across
the country on the night of March 31st from the top of the 'three
mountains' and treat with food for seven days praying for peace and
prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese archer rides a horse while he performs traditional archery to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine on April 3, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held
once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country on the night of March 31st from the top
of the 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days to April 7
praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese women perform odori, a traditional dance during the Mitsuyama
Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji,
Japan. The festival is held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of
Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country to pray for
peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho (R) performs ritual to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine at Shirahama on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is
held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity.
(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho (R) performs ritual to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine at Shirahama on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is
held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity.
(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho walks as people take
pictures during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu Shrine on
April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is held once in 20 years
since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across
the country to pray for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika
Weerasinghe)

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho (R) performs ritual to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine at Shirahama on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is
held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity.
(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Japanese highest rank sumo wrestler Hakuho Sho (R) performs ritual to
entertain the gods during the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival of Itate Hyozu
Shrine at Shirahama on April 1, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is
held once in 20 years since 1593. Priests of Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome
all the gods across the country to pray for peace and prosperity.
(Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)